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TV, film actor Afzaal Ahmad dies at 82

TV, film actor Afzaal Ahmad dies at 82

He suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2001 that left him with a speech impairment and was never the same.
03 Dec, 2022

Renowned TV and film star Syed Afzaal Ahmad, popularly known as Afzaal Chitta, passed away in Lahore on Friday after a protracted illness. He was 82.

Afzaal had suffered a brain hemorrhage in November 2001 after which his life never remained the same, leaving him with a speech impairment. On Thursday, his condition deteriorated and he was rushed to a hospital where he breathed his last on Friday. Afzaal is survived by his wife and three daughters.

His funeral prayers will be held at his Raiwind Road residence on Saturday after some relatives fly in from aboard.

Afzaal started his career with radio plays where he was discovered by celebrated writer Ashfaq Ahmad — something he also mentioned in an interview to PTV years ago. His first TV show was Jazeera, written by Munoo Bhai.

Veteran TV and theatre artiste Khalid Abbas Dar told Dawn that his contemporary Afzaal was a lovely person and an actor of great substance. PTV‘s Jazeera gave three actors to the television world, he said, naming himself, Afzaal and Roohi Bano. He said Afzaal and him were introduced at the Government College, Lahore as the former’s elder brother was his class-fellow. Mr Dar said Afzaal studied at Aitchison College and later graduated from the Government College.

In 1968, Afzaal started his film career with Dhoop Aur Saaye and went on to do 300 films and several TV shows. Among his hit films were Hashoo Khan, Chan Waryam, Insan aur Gadha, Sasta Khoon Mehnga Pani, Khabardar, Seedha Rasta, Wehshi Jutt and many others.

He also modernised the theatre scene of Lahore by establishing the first revolving theatre, Tamaseel. He put a lot of effort and money into the project and invited foreign experts for lighting and sound facilities. The first play staged at Tamaseel was Muhabbaton kay Musafair, directed by Zahoor Balam.

Afzaal later came up with one of the most popular theatre plays, Janam Janam ki Maili Chadar, written by Agha Hassan Imtasal, Pervaiz Kalim and Nasir Adeeb.

Veteran actors such as Hamid Bela, Irfan Khoosat, Dar and many others expressed sorrow and grief over Afzaal’s demise.

Originally published in Dawn, December 3, 2022

Comments

SAk Dec 03, 2022 10:32am
Rest in peace legend.
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M. Emad Dec 03, 2022 10:37am
Never heard Syed Afzaal Ahmad.
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Akram Dec 03, 2022 10:40am
A powerful dialogue delivering actor. Rest in peace sir! Love his films and dramas. A great loss to pakistan.
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ukasha rajpoot Dec 03, 2022 10:47am
RIP. great actor of his time.
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Syed Ahmed Dec 03, 2022 11:07am
My heartfelt condolences to family and friends losing such aa great family and great Actor
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NYS Dec 03, 2022 11:14am
He was nearly 21 years left speechless !!! Hard-working man anguished beyond words.. RIP Afzaal Ahmad 82
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Riaz Dec 03, 2022 11:57am
An institution he was one of the most handsome st and professional actor rip
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No one Dec 03, 2022 12:27pm
Inna lillahae wa inna illahae rajeoun. Great artist indeed. Rest in peace, Ameen.
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Syed A. Mateen Dec 03, 2022 12:32pm
I am very grieved to read this news. He was a great actor of all times. RIP.
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Mujahid Hussain Dec 03, 2022 12:52pm
Rip
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Hope786 Dec 03, 2022 02:07pm
Rest in peace.
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Hope786 Dec 03, 2022 02:08pm
@M. Emad Who cares, a BD nationals opinion means Zero, like future of his nation. RIP A. Ahmad.
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Taj Ahmad - USA Dec 03, 2022 02:08pm
So sad, RIP to a legend actor Afzaal Ahmad, Aameen.
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AinOther Dec 03, 2022 02:10pm
Rest in peace.. his life seemed a trial for him and his family
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Dec 03, 2022 03:40pm
What a gruesome, grim, grave, ghastly, gigantic, grisly, gross and great tragedy? Inna Lilla Hay Waa Inna Illehey Rajayoon.
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Aban Usmani Dec 03, 2022 04:02pm
@M. Emad Can only say you missed a lot Afzal Ahmed Sb was one of the best artists of PTV and most stylish person who could very easily carry any get up His Urdu pronunciation was book perfect and his booming voice...Wow
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zahid Dec 03, 2022 05:10pm
one of the great actor of his time.
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Shiraz Dec 03, 2022 05:34pm
RIP. What a fine actor he was. One by one, they are all departing, leaving behind their legacy. Only to be remembered in good words.
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Fast comment Dec 03, 2022 07:57pm
RIP. He was an excellent highly talented actor.
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Dagu Dec 03, 2022 08:10pm
He was a dangerous MQM man
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Akram Dec 03, 2022 08:55pm
@Dagu "He was a dangerous MQM man" Unlikely, he was from Jhang in Punjab
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Faraz Zubair Dec 03, 2022 09:23pm
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi rajyoun. A versatile actor to say the least bit
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abdal-jabbar husayn Dec 03, 2022 09:31pm
An incredible baritone voice, and film star looks. A legend in his own time with a litany of fabulous dialogues delivered both in Urdu and Punjabi. Incredible acting ability matching the likes of Dilip Kumar etc. RIP “From Whom We Come To Him We Return”
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Ehsan Dec 03, 2022 09:44pm
One of the most stylish actors
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AZAM AKBAR Dec 03, 2022 11:56pm
Rest In Peace.
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nk Dec 04, 2022 01:36am
They are leaving us. Yes, many TV artist from the PTV era have left us and here is one more who starts his journey toward his eternal life.
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nk Dec 04, 2022 01:36am
@M. Emad Have you heard of Roona Laila or that also not.
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Xojomo Dec 04, 2022 02:15am
@Akram Oh Bhai Koi Loss ni Pakistan ko ak actor ky death sy Bas dua kar saktein hain Because Everyone is responsible hereafter the Duniya.
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Akram Dec 04, 2022 05:56am
@M. Emad ..because your Indian alway but in Pakistani news which don’t concern you
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